"Be brave. Live. For me." - Buffy Fan Club

[Enisy]

*skims through thread* Scooby-bashing, Buffy-bashing, Spuffy-bashing, writer-bashing, yadda yadda yadda...

Meh. I'll just answer some questions instead.


What's your favourite Buffy-centric music video?

Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Shati
Description: One girl in all the world. / Slayers, all of them.
Song: Party Ben (mash-up)

Vindicated by Ryan
Song: Vindicated - Dashboard Confessional

Scarlet Ribbons by aycheb
Description: Your faces, O my sisters. Your faces filled of light.
Song: Scarlet Ribbons - Sinead O'Connor

It's Not by stormwreath
Description: A look at Buffy's mindset in Season Six: the world is moving on around her, but she's still stuck in the same old spot. "And I believe it's you who can make it better... But it's not."
Song: It's Not - Aimee Mann

Die Another Day by Empty Reasons
Description: Buffy doesn't die. Period.
Song: Die Another Day - Madonna

What do you want to see happen with Buffy's character in Season 8?

The bank-robbing and the indirect murders and the skewed motives I'm certain will be paid off, so I'll just move on to the things I'm afraid won't be paid off:

I want Joss to bridge the gap between Season 7 and Season 8, instead of taking the lazy way out (flash-forward). I want some elaboration on the Buffy/Satsu deal, because I felt it was mishandled in the canon (in that the readers couldn't discern the point of it, or even the authorial intent), and because even Joss's interviews are divisive on the subject. I want a seasonal arc that cuts down on Buffy's self-pity, or at least handles it with more subtlety. (Existential problems like Buffy's and Joss's sense of aloneness are first-rate subject matters when done right -- see Conversations with Dead People -- but Season 8 has opted for the sledgehammer-approach on more than one occasion, and it can get a bit tedious.)

An improvement over her Season 7 characterization, to be sure, but that doesn't say much.

[Emmie]

Nov 7, 2008 11:49:54 GMT -5 Enisy said:

*skims through thread* Scooby-bashing, Buffy-bashing, Spuffy-bashing, writer-bashing, yadda yadda yadda...

Meh. I'll just answer some questions instead.

Heh. I actually gave up on responding because when the posts get to multi-quote responses and start to diverge on all manner of topics, I have trouble seeing straight. I'd like to re-post Vampmogs questions to try re-direct the discussion:

1) Who do you think was most responsible for the breakdown of the Buffy/Faith relationship in season 3 Buffy or Faith? Or were they both to blame?

I think they're equally responsible, but that Buffy certainly tried again and again to reach Faith. I really need to do a season 3 re-watch to look more closely at this.

2) What do you want to see happen with Buffy's character in season eight?

I want her friendships with the Scoobies restored to their pre-season 6 glory. I want her to be connected with the world again the way she was before she quit school. She's seriously lacking outside ties to human society which is making it easier for her to disconnect to humanity and put the Slayer-mindset first.

3) Is Buffy someone you could be friends with?

I think yes. She's very kind, funny, intelligent and forgiving. I'd love to have her as a friend.

4) Did Buffy ever like Anya?

Wow, I don't know. I think she really tolerated Anya at first for Xander's sake. But it eventually changed into more...but I'm not exactly sure. I think she felt really bad for Anya being left at the altar and certainly acted like a friend in the aftermath to her. I'm remembering the discussion on the porch as Anya is trying to get Buffy to wish revenge on Xander for her. Buffy seemed very sympathetic to Anya during that scene.

But something happened once Anya became a vengeance demon again. I think once that happened, Buffy put in Anya in the 'I might have to kill you' category in her mind. She was no longer harmless and no longer human.

I'm trying to think of other scenes where Buffy showed a noted liking towards Anya...it's hard to think of one. Maybe someone else will have a better recollection.

[wenxina]

1) Who do you think was most responsible for the breakdown of the Buffy/Faith relationship in season 3 Buffy or Faith? Or were they both to blame?[/quote]

I've always blamed Faith a little more than Buffy. I've seen arguments that essentially blame the Scoobies for the way things panned out, but when you get down to the nitty gritty of things... at least, IMO, I blame Faith more (NOTE: I'm not saying the Scoobies aren't to blame at all). Let's start from her entrance. She comes in, big bombshell of trashy slutty sexiness, enthralls Xander with images of wrestling alligators, fighting in the nude, etc. Does she score points with Cordy? No. She makes Willow feel inadequate; i.e. the whole Slayer Club thing. Buffy is uneasy around her at first, but hey, a new girl shows up in town, claims to be a Slayer, what do you do? The last one you befriended, and then your ex-lover's (okay, this is dicey... the status of Bangel is KIV for now) posse slays her in cold blood. Slayers don't last long, Buffy knows this first hand; it's her death that has allowed the emergence of new Slayers, even though she's still active. That doesn't make for very stable relationships... and even though I agree that she should have tried harder, it was probably a subconscious thing. The most legit argument I've heard against the Scoobies is one directed specifically at Giles, and this I got from El Diablo. As Faith's acting Watcher, he should have at least made sure her finances (i.e. rent) were being taken care of. Not from his own pocket, of course, but from the WC. Unless of course that's against policy. The same argument has been made against Buffy not inviting Faith to live with her (Dawn's room was still just a storage room at that point), but I think that she gets a little more slack since Faith wouldn't have made a very good houseguest. House rules and all. Although, there is a a part of me that feels that having a secure roof over her head, and a mother figure who actually cared about her could have helped Faith. But that's assuming that Buffy could see past that hard exterior enough to extend the invite. But the way S3 went, it mostly looked like Faith did her own patrolling, so they weren't the bestest of buds.

Then, there's Faith... damaged goods, vulnerable, but keeping it hidden under her facade of "want, take, have" aggression. Faith was Buffy's dramatic foil, the anti-Buffy. And it kinda works vice versa. Faith wants what Buffy has, but has no idea how to ask for it, or even deeper still, has no idea whether she deserves it. Her self worth boils down to a few things, mostly sex and slaying. She gets a high out of both, and even better yet (in the mind of a horny teenage boy like Xander), slaying gets her all wound up to go a few rounds in the bedroom (or kitchen floor, or bathroom, or wherever). She doesn't like to ask for help, and even when offered help, kinda backs away from it. While the invite to the Christmas dinner wasn't help, per se, she still kinda blew Buffy off at first. And for a while Faith and Buffy seemed to get along, for better or worse. For better where Faith actually seemed to have found someone who she shared something with, and even more profound, gave a crap about. Two examples that stand out to me were when Faith avenged Buffy at homecoming (telling Scott that the doctor said that the "rash" would go away, in front of his date, and Faith saving Buffy at the docks, instead of just running away.
But when it comes to Faith, it eventually boiled down to survival. Which given the hints at her past, is totally understandable; she's a survivor and will do just about anything to survive. Even if it meant screwing Buffy over, which she kinda did on several levels.

Okay... that's long enough... my thoughts are elsewhere right now.

2) What do you want to see happen with Buffy's character in season eight?

Continue to grow... go from General Buffy to President Buffy. Or something... I don't really have any specific hopes... but I guess I will know if there's something I don't like. But right now, I'm just along for the ride. I prefer analyzing the character to making wishlists.

3) Is Buffy someone you could be friends with?

Is Xi someone you could love? Really now...

4) Did Buffy ever like Anya?

I think so. As much as she often had problems with Anya's bitingly honest attitude about things, I think Buffy liked Anya. There was never a protracted conflict between the two, even though Buffy's a Slayer, and Anya, as a demon had caused much harm to humans. In fact, Anya's standing with the Scoobies actually allowed her to go vengeance demon again, without any actual violent intervention from Buffy, until she caused the deaths of the entire fraternity in "Selfless". But there are a few moments that make me believe that Buffy did like, and even care about Anya (rather than just tolerating her for Xander's sake). For one, Buffy endured that horrifying bridesmaid dress! And then, when Anya was trying to get one of the Scoobies wish something awful onto Xander, Buffy told her that she felt awful for her, and that it wasn't that she didn't care about her, but that Xander was her friend too. It was actually a very cool moment. Furthermore, after the events of "Selfless", Buffy goes to check up on Anya, and saves her from the demon trying to kill her. Regardless of whether Anya was human again or not, it showed that Buffy did care about her too.

[vampmogs]

I'll answer my own questions now ;D

1) Who do you think was most responsible for the breakdown of the Buffy/Faith relationship in season 3 Buffy or Faith? Or were they both to blame?

Honestly, I used to think it was all Faith but now I think they both played their part, but it was still, mostly Faith. Buffy was pretty snappy with her when she first showed up because she felt like Faith was storming in and taking over her life and as she tells Joyce, she just got that life back. So that put immediate hostility between the both of them and I think Faith was pretty confused by that, and being the aggressor she is she didn't exactly take it lying down.

What I never really noticed but do now, is also a scene pointed out to me in 'Revelations' when Faith wants Buffy to open up about Angel, but Buffy guilt ridden and on edge about keeping his re-appearance a secret, lashes out and snaps at Faith for the intrusion. Faith, confused and hurt as she doesn't know what she did wrong, sulks away into the shadows feeling like someone she's trying to connect with, doesn't want to connect with her. Buffy feels that, tries to bring the topic back to a lighter area but Faith's back on the defensive and goes to patrol alone.

But at the end of the day, Buffy tried to help Faith on multiple occasions and as she says in 'Sanctuary' "Faith spat on her." Even after Faith tried to frame her for the murder all she cared about was trying to give her another chance, and then Faith betrays her again. Even when she wakes up in 'This Years Girl' Buffy's willing to give her another chance, but Faith doesn't want any of it, she wants revenge plain and simple.

2) What do you want to see happen with Buffy's character in season eight?

She needs to get over her "I'm all alone" spiel and I have hope she will. Joss talked about it in one of his interviews and it's been focused on pretty heavily lately, so maybe we'll finally see her overcome it. And I think a "hard fall" is necessary to win some fans hearts back to the character. Nina on Buffyforums states the reason people are sometimes harder on Buffy than Angel lately, is because when Angel made huge terrible mistakes in s2 of Ats he had to earn back his friends trust and he wasn't let off easily. I hope they make Buffy earn back the respect for some of her decisions lately, but given 'Anywhere But Here's panel of her lying crying on the ground, I don't think we have to worry about her being depicted as sympathetic.

3) Is Buffy someone you could be friends with?

Most certainly. She has her flaws for sure and they'd probably grate on me at times, but her positives far outshine those flaws. She's a wonderful person, my kind of person, I'd be friends with her easily.

4) Did Buffy ever like Anya?

I think she was pretty indifferent to Anya earlier on, it wasn't a case of disliking or liking her, Willow was the one who didn't like Anya whereas Buffy thought she should come to Thanksgiving because she and Xander seemed pretty close. I think she liked her up until 'Him' despite what Xander thought I do think it was hard for her in 'Selfless' and as others pointed out, she goes to her in 'Him' which is really sweet. But it's mostly Anya to blame for any hostility between them after that, one of the meanest things Anya ever said to Buffy was "I'm not!" when Xander tells Buffy they're her friends. That was really mean to Buffy considering Buffy went to her in 'Him' and said "I don't want my friends alone out there right now" and I don't expect Buffy to like someone who treats her like that. Ultimately, I’d say there was more respect between Buffy/Cordy than there actually was between Buffy/Anya. For one thing, Cordy drops the bitca act the second she realises Buffy’s seriously hurt, as for example in ‘Helpless’ and Buffy new she could count on Cordy there, whereas Anya suggests leaving Buffy to find her own way home in ‘Get It Done’ which is pretty vindictive and nasty.

[lmblack21]

Nov 7, 2008 8:53:29 GMT -5 cheryl said:

Nov 5, 2008 21:42:03 GMT -5 lmblack21 said:

You've touched on one of the major reasons I've always had a problem with the idea of Buffy/Xander. He puts her on a pedestal and when she doesn't live up to his high expectations, he often acts like a jerk to her - something he admits to in season 6 and acknowledges is probably one of the reasons she DOESN'T always share with him. And that is a trait he exhibited from season 2 all the way through season 7, sadly.



I couldn't possibly disagree more with this. The problem for me isn't understanding that Buffy needed to stand on her own a bit or that Giles needed his own life. It's that he chose THE ABSOLUTE WORST TIME EVER to make that happen.

This is the same Giles who worried in season 5 about leaving Buffy for ONE WEEK to go to England to get needed information about Glory because Buffy was a little down over her breakup with Riley.

Her dependence on him in season 5 was VERY minimal (she was clearly much more there for Dawn in season 5) and that was completely understandable given the severity of this loss of their mother.

But in season 6 he just utterly lost his mind. Buffy was SUICIDALLY depressed and he has just learned why and he leaves her?? Nuh, sorry, no amount of "Giles needs a life" (selfish at that moment, imo) and Buffy "needing to grow up" (ironic in the extreme) makes up for the horribleness of that arc for me. And if you remember his song to her in "OMWF", it's not just Dawn he rightfully expected her to take care of, he worried about all the "cries around" her she didn't hear at all. I'm sorry, why is Buffy responsible for all those cries around her and who takes care of her for once?

For God's sake, in retrospect, it's no wonder she left them all behind in season 2 - this is what they do to her when she tells them how badly she needs them - they leave. And considering Buffy's own absentee father and how much of a father figure Giles was (and by his own admssion and feelings) this was a huge betrayal imo to Buffy and the fans of Buffy and Giles respectively.

Yes, I'm still bitter.



I didn't actually even need an apology for them for all the reasons you mentioned. What irks me about THIS is that they have one meeting where they all vow to make things better for Buffy - and that's all that happens. Talk with no actual helping - no support. Everyone was falling apart themselves but really, would it hurt them all to chip in in SOME way to ease her burdens? She had so many....and one conversation about it with no follow up action is what made me have huge problems with the SG and Dawn's behavior in season 6.



Actually, prior to season 6 that was NEVER true. Countless examples abound to show that she DID open herself up. A LOT. It was season 6 and 7 that she started to close herself off and again, to me, the reason is pretty apparent.



Problem here again is that while Buffy is called on HER actions, nobody else's contributing actions were called on and nobody else had to face up to their own issues. I saw early on in season 7 a Buffy who WAS opening up. To Willow, to Dawn, to Giles, even to the potentials.

She laughed and joked and spent time with her friends...and was then royally told off by Giles who basically told her that her relaxed and carefree attitude was likely to get people killed. Did she close off after that? Well hell, who could blame her? Neither did Xander change even after "Selfless" though I had high hopes at the time he would, etc, etc.



But again, my problem is, did they ever really address this? Why she felt this way? They were all sure eager to point the finger at Buffy, to heap responsibility and control on her and not go out of their way to help her (what happened to the Giles who said they'd get through things together?) I dunno, Buffy may have contributed but at least she was dealing with it. Which is, once again sadly, way more than we EVER got from the rest of them.



I think the original script is worse, actually. God, I would have hated Giles even more than I did if that had aired as it was. Dawn too, actually. Probably Willow as well. Xander is the only one who I understood because he had just suffered a pretty big injury so I got it from him. The lack of action from him (and everyone else) afterward is a different matter though...

But really, how many times have they questioned her supposedly crazy intuitive ideas? A LOT, by the way. And how often is she right? And oh yeah, based on what happened afterwards, how was Faith's leadership ANY DIFFERENT? She decided on a plan, SHE made the choices and they all followed and people DIED. Who called Faith out on that behavior? Aside from Faith, nobody.

And beyond any of that.....who the hell are they to KICK HER OUT OF HER OWN HOUSE? Then comes after - there's Buffy, alone, ON THE STREETS with no place to sleep or have safe refuge and do they wonder where she went or if she was okay? The bringers and the First were roaming around, Buffy had previously been seriously wounded and almost killed and who brings up her safety? NOT ONE PERSON. Faith brings her up because she's suspicious of her and wants people spying on her. That's it. God, I hated them all so much at that moment. It was unforgiveable, imo. And Anya's words were the worst of them all. All of them talking about the price they've paid conveniently ignoring that it was ALWAYS Buffy who paid the most. Ugh. I'm getting ticked off just remembering that vomit-inducing episode and the aftermath of it.

Sorry for all the vehemence in my post, but such is my passion for this character - and my hatred for that path the writers chose to tread down.

-Luc

My goodness how I love you. I couldn't agree more with everything that you have pointed out. All the inconsistencies. Double standards. Cops outs.

Something I wanted to add to your comments was that after Giles returned in season 6 at the end he DID appologize for leaving. He was wrong and knew it. He asked for fogiveness and Buffy gave it effortlessly. Here is my favorite exchange/action of season 6.

GILES: I came as soon as I heard.
BUFFY: The Council?
GILES: The Council haven't a clue. About much of anything, really. (walking toward Buffy, leaning on the horse) No, there's an ... an extremely powerful coven in Devon. They sensed the rise of a dangerous magical force here in Sunnydale. A dark force, fueled by grief.
BUFFY: Willow.
GILES: I'd so hoped it wasn't her. (pauses) And then a seer in the coven told me about Tara. That's when the coven ... imbued me with their powers.
BUFFY: And sent you here to bring Willow down.
GILES: (looks at her) Buffy, what's happened here?
BUFFY: (pacing) God. I don't even know where to start.
GILES: Well, Willow's clearly been abusing the magicks.
BUFFY: (nods) She has. She was ... and I barely even noticed. Giles, everything's just been so... (sighs) Xander left Anya at the altar, and Anya's a vengeance demon again... (Giles looking shocked) Dawn's a total klepto ... money's been so tight that I've been slinging burgers at the Doublemeat Palace ... (looks down at the floor) And I've been sleeping with Spike.

Buffy pauses, looks up at Giles, looks as if she can't believe she just said that.

Giles stares at her. She looks away again, embarrassed.

Suddenly Giles starts laughing. He covers his mouth with his hand but can't stop. Buffy stares at him, pouty.

GILES: (trying to calm down) Sorry.

He bursts out laughing again. Buffy rolls her eyes, now just looks amused. Giles keeps laughing and slowly Buffy starts to laugh too.

GILES: (laughing) Duct tape?
BUFFY: (laughing) On their mouths. So the demon could eat them...
GILES: Because they were figments.

More laughing.

BUFFY: All of it! You, Sunnydale ... And I was just some nutcase in L.A.
GILES: (still laughing) Of course. Why didn't we see it before?

Slowly they stop laughing, and look much calmer than before. Buffy holds her stomach.

GILES Can you forgive me?
BUFFY: For what?
GILES: I should never have left.
BUFFY: No. You were right to leave. We're just ... stupid.
GILES: I know you're all stupid. (Buffy smiling) I should never have abandoned you.
BUFFY: No. Giles, you were right about everything. It is time I was an adult.
GILES: Sometimes the most adult thing you can do is ... ask for help when you need it.
BUFFY: Now you tell me.


See how easy it is for Buffy to forgive those around her? She doesn't point fingers, she doesn't demand answers. Giles needs her forgiveness and just like that, she gives it.

Because of the above interaction, what comes next in season 7 was unbearable for me as a fan. Giles leaves again, forgetting all about his sorrow in abandoning Buffy. He returns to throw the weight of the world on her shoulders. He criticizes, scolds and finally betrays Buffy in EP. The writers of that season, WHO AREN'T JOSS, turned Giles into a pod character. It was actually one of the few unforgivable things ever accomplished, imo.

I'm bitter about that too, so I share in your pain.

Thanks!

And I guess I have a different defintion of "bashing" because I thought several of us were having a well thought out exchange where we simply discussed parts of the stories or behavioral traits that we didn't like. That's hardly "bashing".

But oookay, on to shiny new questions!

1) Who do you think was most responsible for the breakdown of the Buffy/Faith relationship in season 3 Buffy or Faith? Or were they both to blame?

Faith. Buffy really did try every way she could think of to help Faith, to reach out to her - and considering that Buffy was herself only 17-18 years old, I think that's pretty amazing. Faith simply had too much baggage going on right then. But man, what a story we got out of it all though! Season 3 rocked so hard and one of the reasons for that was the B/F and the B/A/F dynamic.

2) What do you want to see happen with Buffy's character in season eight?

True character growth, a sense that Buffy finally gets to explore BUFFY - not Buffy the vampire slayer. I had that hope for her with the whole "cookie dough", "what are we going to do now Buffy" vibe in "Chosen", but so far it's been more of the same. I'd like to see true reparation of the SG bond, INCLUDING Giles and Faith - return the SG friendship to their former pre-season 6 glory.

I would also love some more B/A goodness but am realistic about the possibilities of that happening - especially with Angel in hell and with a different comics company.

3) Is Buffy someone you could be friends with?

Absolutely. I love her, she's my favorite character in the entire verse. Who wouldn't want to be friends with her? Crazy talk I say!

4) Did Buffy ever like Anya?

I think she liked Anya as much as Anya liked any of the SG outside of Xander. They were more like casual friends than true, bonded friends. We saw Buffy trying to help Anya in season 6, we saw some cute interactions in season 7, but were they best buds? Nah, Anya is a little too self-centered for that. That's just Anya's character - more like a child than an adult.

-Luc

[Emmie]

Nov 7, 2008 22:01:55 GMT -5 lmblack21 said:

And I guess I have a different defintion of "bashing" because I thought several of us were having a well thought out exchange where we simply discussed parts of the stories or behavioral traits that we didn't like. That's hardly "bashing".

I agree, I think you guys were just getting into an in-depth discussion (the pros and cons). It was a thoughtful debate IMO. Just something I had trouble double-dutch jumping into because of how involved it eventually became.

[cheryl]

1) Who do you think was most responsible for the breakdown of the Buffy/Faith relationship in season 3 Buffy or Faith? Or were they both to blame?

Faith. Buffy tried to reach out to Faith on numerous occasions. Buffy forgave Faith and was willing to start again. Faith was a little too jaded and evil early on.

2) What do you want to see happen with Buffy's character in season eight?

I'd like to see Buffy have some normal and happy moments with her friends aka, the scooby gang. I'd like to see Buffy and Giles move back to a place of father/daughter in their relationship. I'd like to see Buffy given some true happiness.
I'd love to see Buffy able to spend some time with Angel while he's still human.

3) Is Buffy someone you could be friends with?

Oh yes, I love Buffy. She has been shown to be the best friend a person could ever have.

4) Did Buffy ever like Anya?

Yeah, I think she grew to consider Anya an extended part of her family.

[Jsebold87]

Here's some Buffy wallpapers (I didn't make these):

[VampSlayer]

BUFFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[edge450]

What's your favourite Buffy-centric music video?
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mdngTLtuyxs

I generally don't look for videos that focus on Buffy as a character, but I fell in love with this video.

[buffyverseforever]

Dec 9, 2008 16:37:58 GMT -5 Jsebold87 said:

Here's some Buffy wallpapers (I didn't make these):

Wow-these are amazing! I love them!



Best wishes,


Scott

[CookieDough]

Agreed, those are amazing!

[batboy99]

I love Buffy(duh). Love her style, her witt and just her! Shes awesome (of course)

[spikesgirl]

1) Who do you think was most responsible for the breakdown of the Buffy/Faith relationship in season 3 Buffy or Faith? Or were they both to blame?
faith

2) What do you want to see happen with Buffy's character in season eight?
meet up with spike

3) Is Buffy someone you could be friends with?
yeah i wish she was

4) Did Buffy ever like Anya?
i think so

[loveisabird]

What do you think was Buffy's most heroic moment?

She's done a lot but Id have to go with Prophecy Girl because it was one of her biggest and when i fell in love with her. The part when she knocks Giles out and Jenny tells her if she faces the master she'll die. Then Buffy replies with "Maybe. Maybe I'll take him with me". The fact she was 16 and knew she was gonna die yet still had the guts to go and do what she did make her a hero.



What do you think is Buffy's greatest character strength (i.e. what is it that you love about her, that makes her a great hero, great friend, etc.)?

Her loyalty, strength and her ability to forgive



3.) Was there ever a moment when you stopped liking her as a character?

Never. Even when she was at her worst I still felt for her and wanted more for her but Ive never stopped liking her.


4.) What are some of your favorite Buffy quotes?

" I may be dead, but Im still pretty"

" I think I speak for everyone here when I say huh?"

" That was then. This is now" - to the Judge <3

"No, it doesn't stop! It *never* stops! Do-do you think I chose to be like this? Do you have any idea how lonely it is, how dangerous? I would *love* to be upstairs watching TV or gossiping about boys or... God, even studying! But I have to save the world... again."

"What? Whatting a Whatting?"

"You're weak. Everybody is. Everybody fails. - Strong is fighting! It's hard, and it's painful, and it's every day. It's what we have to do. And we can do it together."

"Me." - from Becoming when Angel goes to stab her. Where I got my name from haha

"I'm Buffy, the vampire slayer and you are?"

"You're not the brightest god in the heavens are you?"

" A world of no"


And her speeches from The Gift and Chosen <3
I'll stop because I'll be here all night lol






Buffy's had some amazing fights through out seven seasons. What's your favorite Buffy fighting move?

So so many but i love the wrestling move Buffy does in Buffy Vs Dracula that someone previously mentioned, when she jumps on the vamps shoulders then flipped him. I also love when ever Buffy did a flip, or double kick like she did to Caleb in 'Chosen'

Is there a Buffy mannerism you always recognize?

Mostly the pouting, and her punning

What's the worst (criminial, amoral, etc) thing you think Buffy has ever done? Was it justified (world savage, saving an innocent) or was it inspired by a character flaw?

Probably the bank robbing in season 8 but I love her so much that I become biased and dont think its tha bad lol.





What do you ultimately want for Buffy? If you were to fast-forward to the end of Buffy's life when she's a little old lady, what would her life story be (post-season 8)?

I want her happy, connected and loved. Ideally Id like her to have a partner but Id be happy with her living with Xander, and Willow in a nursing home forgetting to take their pills and cheating at bingo

[lightandmagic]

Oh Buffy... <3. I feel throughout the series no character has been nearly as abused and mistreated than Buffy has. She was ridiculously heroic, always strove to do the right thing, and tried to not let her entitlement of being a slayer get to her.

As for Anya and Buffy, my two favourite characters in the whole series, I think they were friends, just not necessarily close. At first they don't really relate at all, and all of season four they don't really talk all that much, but they're generally nice to one another.

In Season five you get to see much more how they're friends. For me, the moment in Triangle where Buffy has invested so much in Xander and Anya's relationship shows that she likes Anya. I know a large part of it is due to Riley leaving but Xander is one of her best friends, and she would only want him to succeed with someone she felt was right and/or good.

After Anya is left at the altar, Buffy feels genuinely sorry for her. That's not necessarily friendship but it does show that Buffy at least cares for her.

However, the moment I thought they were friends was in Selfless when Buffy says sorry to Anya before stabbing her in the heart. She wasn't saying it to Xander, she was saying it Anya, she genuinely felt bad for having to kill her. Which I think says a lot about their relationship.

I at least believe that Buffy regarded her as a friend, Anya on the other hand is a bit harder to tell. Although her willingness to bring back Buffy seems to show something for me. I can't say for sure but Anya was very un-Anya during the opening of season six in the fact that she didn't complain about something haha. I think she wanted Buffy back for more than just her slayer duties but because she liked Buffy as well.

Anya was forced to hang out with the group a lot due to circumstances but I mean, look who she chose for bridemaids, she could have easily chosen Halfrek or other demon buddies. But she chose them, because I think she unwillingly viewed them as people she liked.

Her "I'm not" about being Buffy's friend seemed to me like by Season 7 the friendship she had built with these people was crushed when she was dumped by Xander. They then destroyed the Magic Box as well, and I feel like she harboured a lot of resentment over it, over pretty much all things Xander.

Maybe it's because Anya is by and large my favourite character, but I would be angry too, she was left at the altar and her heart was destroyed. But they all just cared about Xander. I mean sure, they showed sympathy, but they pretty much left her after she was no longer Xander's girlfriend.

Welll, that was kind of a muddled mess. In summary, yes, I think they were friends at certain points in the series. They both liked each other, and they both cared for each other on certain occasions (Buffy after Anya's wedding is ruined, Anya after Joyce dies), but they both have really stubborn and strong personalities so they butt heads a lot of the time I think. Anya's still extremely bitter in Season 7 and I think this is the main reason for the falling out of sorts.

[Greer]

Light,

I like your comparisons between Anya and Buffy. I've never really thought much about the dynamic of their sometimes (un)friendship, but you make some good points. I really did like them when they were friends but pretty much everyone's relationship with Anya was strained after Xander left her at the altar. She didn't want Buffy, Willow, or Dawn talking to her or trying to maintain a relationship, which I could understand. Everyone around you reminds you of the absolute heartbreak that you endured because of one of their best friends, so I would understand that she wouldn't want to be around them.

Their relationship was very strained and I oft saw Anya as a frustrated member of the group that didn't know what to do, but could understand the power that Buffy held, at least physically. So I think that she may have been bitter after her power was taken away, and felt that Buffy was suffocating the group at times, mostly because no one else, except for Willow at times, understood the power and that she could use it.

By the way, welcome to the forum!